Blessed Apolinar Franco

Blessed Apolinar Franco, also known as Apollinaris, was a devout Franciscan Friar Minor (Observants) priest who dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Christianity. Born in 1575 in Aguilar del Campo, Palencia, Spain, he felt a calling to missionary work and embarked on a courageous journey to Japan during the 17th century, a time when Christianity was considered a capital offense in the country.